Building method and construction



Aug. 30, 1 KUMP BUILDING METHOD AND CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledJune 19, 1945 INVENTOR. fF/VZST J. K UMP m R Q \M Aug. 30, 1949. 12,480,330

1 Filed June 19, 1945 BUILDING METHOD AND CONSTRUCTION I 2 Sheetssheet 21 117-5. 'NAN INVENTOR. f/P/VEST f Ku/v/P BY g y 6" MYM Patented Aug.30. 1949 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE 2,480,330 BUILDING METHOD ANDCONSTRUCTION Ernest J. Kump, Atherton, Calif.

Application June 19, 1945, Serial No. 600,286;

projecting laterally from the upper end of the stud requires no supportduring manipulation" of each frame member to prevent its distortion orbending under its own weight.

One of the objects of this invention is an improved method of erecting abuilding frame using frame members of the type above described wherebyonly several workmen may more quickly erect such frame than heretofore.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved buildingframe formed from frame members of the type described above that is ofsimple construction and in which the frame members are accurately andpositively secured in predetermined. spaced relation so that furtheroperations such as panelling and roofing maybe accurately accomplishedwith precut" or preformed panels whereby the frame may be used inprebuilt or prefabricated building structure.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the description and in thedrawings.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrative of several steps in the methodof erecting the frame.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing the ridge structure at asplice from one side of the ridge.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary plan view of the portion shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken through the ridge pieces.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken verticallythrough a floor plate.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary elevational view taken from outside the buildingshowing the notched floor plate with the bottom end of the stud therein.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken throughone of the shoulder pieces at the juncture between the stud and rafte ofeach frame member.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary elevational plan view showing the shoulder ofthe frame member in a notch formed in the shoulder piece.

Befo e gi ng a det il si gi of the 7 Claims.

method employed in erecting the building frame of the invention thestructure itself will be described, it being understood that thedetailed description and the drawings are not to be consideredrestrictive of the invention.

Each frame member generally designated I is preferably formed of plywoodas described in my aforesaid co-pending application and in Figs. 2,

3, 6 and 8 the plurality of plies 2 forming each frame member areindicated.

Each frame member comprises a stud 3 and a rafter 4 (Fig. l) integrallyand inseparably united at their adjacent ends free from extraneousbraces or the like inasmuch as the arrangement of the plies of wood ineach frame member are parallel with the plane common to the stud andrafter whereby the rafter requires no support.

during manipulation of the stud to prevent bending under its own weight.

A pair of rows of said frame members is adapted to be supported on floor5 of thebuilding with the lower ends of the studs 3 of each row alongfloor plates 6 that are along two opposite edges of said floor.

The lower ends of each of said studs is formed with a right angle cornernotch 1 (Fig. 5) along the lower outer edge of each stud and each floorplate 6 is formed with a notch 9 (Fig. 6) in its upper side in which theupper edge ll] of each notch l is adapted to fit. The unnotched lowerforward corner of each stud extends across the inner side of each floorplate to the floor or substantially to said floor.

- By this structure it is not possible for the base or lower ends of thestuds to move outwardly. relative to the center of the-floor because thefor-- ward or vertical edges I! of the notches l in said of each floorplate. Nor can the studs in each row move toward or away from each otherat their lower ends inasmuch'as theyare held in notches 9 in the floorplate. The notches 9 may very readily be cut to provide absolutelyaccurate spacing between notches thereby insuring absolute accuracy inthe positioning of the lower ends of the studs.

- The shoulders of the frame members are notched out at l5 providing anupwardly facing edge It and an outwardly facing edge ii. A shoulderpiece 20 that may practically be a duplicate of the floor plate (butinverted) and having notches 21 therein (Figs. 1, 7) spaced identicalwith the notches in the floor plate is positioned in notches l5 with theupper edges it of said notches ineach of the notches 2! in, the shoulderpiece. By this structure the frame members are rigidly held at thejunctures between the rafters and studs in identically the same spacedrelationship as the lower ends of the studs. Vertical screws 22 extendthrough the shoulder pieces 5 into the frame members holding the edge l6securely on notch 2|.

Extending across the outer ends of the rafters of one row of framemembers is a ridge piece 25 while a ridge-piece 26 e5;tends acrosstheouter 10 ends of the'rafter's of the other row. There are generallyseveral of said ridge pieces required for each row where the buildingframe is relatively long and in such instances th'e -r'rdge pieces fip2B are arranged in pairs in opposed relation and so that one ridge piecesuch as 25 (Fi'gf 3$ pro=- jects beyond the adjacent end of the adjacentridge piece 26. The adjacent pair of ridge pieces in directionlongitudinally of said' pi'ecesand of the rows of frame members arepositioned so that ridge piece 26* will 'overlap the projecting. end ofridge piece Thhs-by connecting-these overlapping ends with'screws 28'(Figs: 2;.391 a strong: splice is made;

Each ridge piece' ZSi-and each' ridge pieca 23is- 25 formed wi'thhetches"Z'B in Whi cIr tl'ieouter ends of the rafters" of the respective:rowsof fram'e members are fiittedi screws: 3 0' "may-secure the ridgepiec''s 25 to-the rafter of th'e' left-hand row (Figs. 1, 4) whilescrew's- 3lsecure the ridge 30 pieces 2 6- to i the "r'a'iEte1-'s-of theright h'a'nd row. The said' ridge ieces are 0F c'ourse secured to the'rafters before the splices-already described are made-"a'ndaftr amuidgepieces are so se curedtc-" the resperil-ye" renters of the two'rowsthe said ridgepieces '25, 2t are securedto'gether. by screws 33 (Fig?2*) Then screws 28'-'-conn'ect the splices.

The foregoing structure insures a ri'gld andex tremely accuratepositioning of tfie f'ra'm'e'hie'm- 49 bers' and is particularly suitedto prefabrica tion'of parts'sd that ui'e'rrame membersmayhe accuratelyand quicklys'et up at' tlie' building site and when so set up there canbe no variation-in" spacing b'etweentl'i'e fieme memuers-or between thestuds andrafter'si p The method of erecting the 'building frame' 'isparticularly" important masmuclr es formerly with the type ofstrueturegenerally described herein it ha'dbeen customary tderect the framemembers one at a": time and-' to employ various e'xpedie'nts for holdingthe frame members P 1 By the present invention the frame-members I maybe fir'starrang ed-in'a row albn'g-e'acl'i'of the base plateswitli thelower o'F the-studs in each notcl'l 9; Thus" thelbwer ends ofthes'tud's' are properly spaced even" before theframe members areerected.

Theridg'e'pieGe's Z B, 2F may'bese'cured' in place 60 over' the outerends of the raftersand as said outer ends extend past each other it willbe seen (Fig. 1)' that'oiie ofth'e ridge'pieces', for'ex'ample ridgepiece 25', may be onthefioor whiletheother ridge piece 26" rests-on theraftersof the frame 65 members that are connected by said pieces 25.

The shoulder strips or pieces 2 0" may connect and space theframemembers at their'shoulders but where splicing of the shoulder pieces isto be avoided any stripssuch as a piece of scantling 30 may temporarilysecure the frame members s'paced relation adjacent the shoulders ifdesired.

The frame members secured together as abovedescribed are preferablygroups of three or four as seen in the forepart of Fig. 1 and after theyare so secured together the one group, such as the frame membersconnected by ridge piece 26, may be elevated as a unit by one or twomen. Once this group is elevated the group on the other side, such asframe members connected by ridge piece 25, are elevated to a position inwhich the ridge pieces 25, 26 are in oposed relation as is seen in therear groups in Fig. 1. The ridge pieces 25, 26'may thenlbeirea'dilysecured together and unless the shoulder pieces 20 are previouslysecured on the frame members of each group such pieces may be secured tothe said members.

This securing of the frame members of each pair- 'of' opp'osite groupstogether by separate ridge pieces is relatively important since theridge pieces 25; 26 when'brought into opposed relationship are veryeasily adjusted relative to each other, whereas were a single ridgepiece used the adjustment of each oppositepair o-fframe members to thesingle-pieceeis.quite diflicult.

I claim:

1. Themethod of: erecting, a building frame on afioorfromframe memberseach of'wliich comprises anintegrally united stud and rafter and-whichfloor has spacedparaHel floor plates along two of its oppositeedges,said method comprising the steps of securing-a row of said framemembers together in equallyspaced parallel re lationship over said floorand inwardly between said floor plates and. along. each of the latterwith.

said. frame membersrtilted so. that the rafters of one row of frame.members overlies-the rafters of the other row of frame: memberscentrally between said floor plates, then swinging: said rows offrame-members to elevated'position about axes respectively substantiallycoincident with said floor plates so that the outer: ends of saidrafters outwardly of said studsxarei'in elevated-opposed relationcentrally over said. floor; then rigidly securing said outer ends insaid opposed relation.

2. The method of erectingabuilding frame on a floor from frame memberseach-of which comprises an integrally united stud and rafter andwhich'floor'has parallel floor plates along two of its opposite edges;said method comprising the steps-of securing a row'of' said framemembers together in equally spaced parallel relationship over' saidfloor and: inwardly between said floor plates by securing the outer endsof the-rafters of one row to a ridge piece extending'across said endsand by securlng'the-outer' ends of therafters of' the other row: toanother ridge piece extending across said latter ends, supporting therespective rows of frame membersso secured together in each row with thestud members tilted toward the center of the door and with the outer endportions of the rafters of one of said rows overlying the similar endportions of the rafters of the other row, then swinging said rows oneafter the other to elevated position about axes respectivelysubstantially coincident with said floor plates and to positions withsaid roof pieces together in horizontally opposed relation, thensecuring said ridge pieces together.

3. The method of erecting a, building frame on a floor having parallelfloor plates along two opposite edges thereof and from frame memberseach of which comprises an integrally joined stud and rafter thatcomprises the steps of securing rows of said frame members in equallyspaced relationship along each of said floor plates with the lower freeends of the studs of said frame members against such floor plates andwith the outer ends of the rafters of one row of frame members supportedon the rafters of the other row and with the outer ends of the raftersof said other row supported on said floor, then swinging the said onerow of frame members as a unit to elevated position about an axissubstantially coincident with the floor plate adjacent said row andthereafter swinging the said other row to elevated position in which theouter ends of the rafters thereof are in opposed relation ship to theouter ends of the rafters of said one row, then rigidly securing theframe members of both rows together with the outer ends of their raftersin said opposed relationship.

4. In a building frame having a pair of parallel rows of frame memberseach of which members comprises an integrally joined stud and rafterproviding a shoulder at their juncture, ridge pieces in opposed relationrespectively extending across the outer ends of the rafters of aplurality of pairs thereof in each row and secured to the rafters ofeach row, means securing the opposed ridge pieces to ether and each ofsaid ridge pieces being formed with uniformly spaced notches in theoppositely outwardly facing sides of the joined ridge pieces in whichthe adjacent rafter ends are fitted, the notches in one of said ridgepieces being directly opposite the notches in the other ridge piece thatis secured thereto, shoulder pieces extending longitudinally of each rowformed with notches in which the shoulders of said frame members arefitted, said notches in each shoulder piece having the same spacing asthe notches in said ridge piece, and floor plates along the lower endsof the studs of each row being fromed with notches in which a portion ofsaid lower ends are fitted,

' said notches in each floor plate having the same spacing as thespacing of the notches in each of said shoulder pieces and ridge pieces,the notches in said ridge pieces, shoulder pieces and floor plates beingdisposed in parallel vertical planes whereby said frame memberswill berigidly secured in spaced relation along the outer ends of the raftersand studs relative to said shoulders and will be securely held inparallel, vertical planes and along said shoulders.

5. In a building frame having a, pair of parallel rows of frame memberseach of which members comprises an integrally joined stud and rafterproviding a shoulder at their juncture, ridge pieces in opposed relationrespectively extending across the outer ends of the rafters of aplurality of pairs thereof in each row and secured to the rafters ofeach row, means securing the opposed ridge pieces together and each ofsaid ridge pieces being formed with uniformly spaced notches in theoppositely outwardly facing sides of the joined ridge pieces in whichthe adjacent rafter ends are fitted, the notches in one of said ridgepieces being directly opposite the notches in the other ridge piece thatis secured thereto,

shoulder pieces extending longitudinally of each row formed with notchesin which the shoulders of said frame members are fitted, said notches ineach shoulder piece having the same spacing as the notches in said ridgepiece,, and floor plates along the lower ends of the studs of each rowbeing formed with notches in which a portion of said lower ends arefitted, said notches in each floor plate having the same spacing as thespacing of the notches in each of said shoulder pieces and ridge pieces,the notches in said ridge pieces, shoulder pieces and floor plates beingdisposed in parallel vertical planes whereby said frame members will berigidly secured in spaced relation along the outer ends of the raftersand studs relative to said shoulders and will be securely held inparallel, vertical planes and along said shoulders, said shoulders andsaid lower ends of said studs being notched complementary to the notchesin said shoulder pieces and floor plates.

6. In a building frame, a pair of parallel rows of frame members each ofwhich members comprises an integrally joined stud and rafter, severalpairs of longitudinally aligned ridge pieces respectively secured to theouter adjacent ends of the rafters of said rows securing a plurality ofthe rafters in each row in predetermined spaced relation, the ridgepieces of each of said pairs being longitudinally offset so that one endportion of one ridge piece in each pair projects beyond the adjacent endof the other ridge piece, and the projecting ends of the ridge pieces ofadjacent pairs being in overlapping relation to provide a splice jointbetween the adjacent pairs of ridge pieces, means for securing theprojecting overlapping ends of said ridge pieces together, and means forsecuring the ridge pieces of each pair to each other.

7. In a building frame, a pair of parallel rows of frame members each ofwhich members comprises an integrally joined stud and rafter, severalpairs of longitudinally aligned ridge pieces respectively secured to theouter adjacent ends of the rafters of said rows securing a plurality ofthe rafters in each row to predetermined spaced relation, the ridgepieces of each of said pairs being longitudinally offset so that one endportion of one ridge pieces in each pair projects beyond the adjacentend of the other ridge piece, and the projecting ends of the ridgepieces of adjacent pairs being in overlapping relation to provide asplice joint between the adjacent pairs of ridge pieces, means forsecuring the projecting overlapping ends of said ridge pieces together,and means for securing the ridge pieces of each pair to each other, theridge pieces of each pair being notched transversely and the said outerends of said rafters'being secured in said notches.

ERNEST J. KUMP.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

OTHER REFERENCES Ser. No. 235,842, Sahlberg (A. P. 0.), published Apr.2'7, 1943.

Engineering News Record, published May 6, 1943, page 106.

Manual of Carpentry and Joinery, by Riley, published by MacMillan 8:Co., Limited, London, 1905, pages 168 and 169. (Copy in Division 33.).

